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Facilities and grounds have unique attributes that require thoughtful consideration as asset management programs are set up. Required information that agencies need to advise capital projects can vary greatly between…
Read MoreAdverse weather events can significantly affect vehicle and driver behavior. With the advent of automated vehicles (AVs), the Federal Highway Administration Road Weather Management Program has begun research and testing to identify how vehicles and drivers will detect and react to adverse weather and road weather conditions. AVs have sensors and perception systems to detect objects and events in their vicinity. Using this information, they control the steering or speed, or both, to move the vehicle along its selected path. Their ability to properly perceive the situation and execute a maneuver can be affected by atmospheric conditions and road weather. Several tests were developed and conducted with the intent to challenge perception systems across a variety of simulated adverse winter weather conditions in a controlled outdoor laboratory setting in traffic settings. The presentation will describe the tests and results that were obtained during the testing in Winter 2021 along with some videos.
Read MoreRegular reviews of the Winter Maintenance Policy can be time-consuming but very essential to keep it valid for the changing needs of the community. The City of Regina, Saskatchewan, adopted a consultative approach with the community and other stakeholders while completing a review of their Winter Maintenance Policy. The updated policy tries to satisfy the winter maintenance related demands and changing priorities of the community as well as aligns with their corporate vision and strategic goals to promote active, sustainable, and community-friendly transportation year-round.
Read MoreThis presentation will provide a step-by-step summary of the process used to convene the working group and arrive at consensus-based decisions driven by technical analysis of previously unquantifiable metrics. After the presentation, attendees will better be able to build modeling tools specifically designed to evaluate policy alternatives, assemble well-balanced working groups to collaborate on policy guidance, and establish robust consensus- and science-based policy for green infrastructure implementation to achieve a wide array of environmental and social objectives. The presentation will include a short cutting-edge computer-generated video that provides a visual representation of a selection of the various scenarios that have been modeled along with the representative metrics.
Read MorePublic works organizations are making smart communities a reality. And they are doing this with the adoption of smart technologies and their integration with a geographic information system (GIS). From location-enabled devices, drones, augmented reality, and machine learning, public works professionals are using location as the standard analytical approach to achieving new insight and improved performance. Increasingly, sensors, the internet of things, and cloud computing are feeding data on the locations of people, nature, vehicles, and infrastructure. Public works departments have access to more tools and data than ever before and are leading their communities towards a more prosperous and well-run future. This session will showcase examples of organizations using Esri’s Smart Community Information System to optimize urban mobility, address and respond to humans in crisis, monitor drone traffic, leverage artificial intelligence for infrastructure management, and design and support a sensor-driven world.
Read MoreThe Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) selected TranSystems to design the Interstate 235 (I-235) interchange to accommodate safety and operational problems identified from a study and support a more efficient and resilient roadway system to better accommodate current and projected traffic volumes. As one of the most significant roadway infrastructure projects in Kansas history, TranSystems addressed several of the most congested sections between I-235 and U.S. Route 54/U.S. Route 400 (US 54/500), with minimal impact to the community, by implementing a Smart Work Zone to ease congestion and inform drivers. During certain phases where capacity was greatly constrained, the need for alternative routing was identified. Thus, variable message signs were deployed on the side roads that allowed users to divert at key locations and use the street network or other routes before entering the access-controlled freeway. By integrating portable, changeable message signs on key arterial routes feeding onto US54/400, better diversion was accomplished.
Read MoreOver the last 30 years, a large body of national, international, and industry asset management standards and guidelines have been created. Today, the industry continues to struggle with the integration of engineering, accounting, and community planning, while aligning corporate goals with daily operations and maintenance, planning, budgeting, and delivery activities. The challenge is how to adopt and sustain asset management practices to meet the demands and expectations of our communities while managing an aging infrastructure asset base. To assist jurisdictions in navigating their asset management journey, APWA has developed an interactive Asset Management (AM) Road Map. It is designed to assist communities in systematically implementing their asset management system and is structured around ten key asset management themes defined as Road Map stops. This session will introduce the APWA AM Roadmap and Best Practices.
Read MoreMecklenburg County (home to Charlotte) is the most populated county in North Carolina. The County has had significant exposure to urban flooding exacerbated by explosive growth over the last two decades. The County, which is recognized as having one of the most progressive flood mitigation programs in the country, has invested in various data, technology, policy, and administrative initiatives to continue to reduce flood risk. As part of a recent partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the County has implemented a network of low-cost flood sensors and coupled it with powerful geographic information system (GIS) based tools to provide near real-time flood inundation and impact assessments during storm events. This information is invaluable for emergency response and recovery and long-term program planning and guidance.
Read MoreStormwater utilities started emerging as a popular mechanism to fund community stormwater needs in the 1980s and 1990s. Regulatory drivers, particularly municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) requirements, led to creating the first stormwater utilities in larger cities. Since then, more jurisdictions of all sizes have been implementing stormwater utilities to fund ever-increasing stormwater program needs. Over the last 30 years, industry-standard practices have evolved, technology has changed rapidly, and financial practices and resources have expanded. In working with utilities of all ages, we see patterns in the way utilities mature. Depending on where a utility is in its stormwater utility development, patterns emerge in rate increases, rate structure modifications, data maintenance and management, and financing strategies. We will highlight indicators and drivers for updating your utility and include actionable steps to consider.
Read MoreInvestment in streetscape and infrastructure has a transformational effect on districts hurt by vacancy. Kannapolis revitalized its downtown in 2019, unveiling a transformed core that prioritizes the public realm, business investment, and proactive ways to incorporate new development. The redesign catalyzed activity and created new private development opportunities and partnerships, including the new baseball stadium that anchors downtown. West Avenue is downtown’s “signature street” and centerpiece of the project. The street had a substantial right-of-way that offered prime space for a linear park to stitch downtown with a generous public realm. As a result of the investment, many new businesses have opened in previously vacant storefronts, and new private developments are under way. Downtown now has regional pull and a vibrant public realm that can support business and quality of life. Kannapolis exemplifies the power of partnerships and infrastructure investment for revitalization.
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